Planning commission tables minor subdivision at 7040 Reynolds Road after zoning and lot-shape concerns

The Mentor Planning Commission on March 20 voted to table a proposed minor subdivision of property at 7040 Reynolds Road to allow the applicant to work further with planning staff on lot configuration.

Applicant Anthony Sliman described alternate plan options and said he had prepared a revised layout intended to create a more conventional frontage for one of the lots. Planning staff and commissioners discussed the site’s C-1 Conservation District zoning, which carries a five-acre minimum lot area and a 200-foot minimum lot width in the city code. Staff noted the commission has discretion under Chapter 11 65 to allow smaller lots in cases of demonstrated hardship, but urged the applicant to pursue a layout closer to code requirements.

Commissioners and staff noted several options: (1) create one conforming lot with 200 feet of frontage and accept a smaller rear lot; (2) push the west line back to enlarge the front lot; or (3) sell the entire 21-acre parcel rather than subdivide. The planning staff recommended not voting on a substantially different second submission provided the applicant at the meeting and suggested tabling to allow administration to work with the applicant.

After discussion, the commission voted to table the application to allow the applicant and administration to refine the layout and provide a clearer demonstration of need if a variance below 5 acres is sought. The motion to table passed unanimously for commissioners present.